Determinants of Youth Farmers’ Utilization of Improved Rice Production Practices in South West, Nigeria

The study assessed the determinants of young farmers’ utilization of improved rice production practices in South West Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of 317 respondents for the study. Data were collected through the use of an interview schedule. Frequency counts, percentages, mean, and Probit- censored double-hurdle regression model was used to analyze the data. Findings reveal that the major improved rice production practices utilized by the young farmers included: the selection of improved rice varieties (88.3%) and appropriate use of agrochemicals (99.3%), while the most intensively utilized practices were: farm planning and use of cropping calendar (WMS=1.38), timely planting of rice (WMS=2.24) and safekeeping and handling of agro-chemicals (WMS=2.48). Age (β = -0.073646, -0.0039496). Years of education (β = -0.0565773, 0.003665), years of farming experiences (β = 0.0081413, 0.003140, availability of improved agricultural practices information (β = 0.0413969, 0.114309) and knowledge level of improved rice production practices (β = 0.0396945, 0.408986) had the likelihood of determining utilization and intensity of use of Improved rice production practices in the study area. Government and other relevant agricultural stakeholders should focus on the identified factors in view to enhance the utilization of improved rice production practices in the study area.